How to check the status of a USPS money order

You can track a USPS money order using the receipt you received when you bought it. The receipt has a serial number printed on it — this is the tracking number you need. Go to the USPS Tracking website at usps.com/tracking, enter that serial number in the search box, and click Track. The system will show you whether the money order has been cashed and when.

If you bought the money order at a Post Office location, the receipt is a small stub attached to the money order itself. If you bought it online through USPS.com, you received a receipt by email with the serial number listed. Keep this receipt until the money order is cashed — you will need it if something goes wrong.

The tracking system updates after the money order is cashed by the recipient. Until then, it may show as pending or not yet processed. This is normal. Once cashed, the status will change to show the date it was presented for payment.

Key Takeaways

  • The serial number on your USPS money order receipt is what you enter into the USPS tracking system to check status.
  • You can track your money order at usps.com/tracking by entering the serial number and clicking Track.
  • The tracking system shows whether the money order has been cashed and the date it was presented for payment.
  • If a money order shows as uncashed after 60 days, you can file a claim with USPS using your receipt.
  • USPS money orders are insured up to $1,000, so you have recourse if the money order is lost or stolen.

What the tracking status actually tells you

USPS tracking for money orders is simpler than package tracking. It shows two main pieces of information: whether the money order has been cashed, and if so, when. It does not show you where the money order is in transit or whether it has been delivered to the recipient — only whether it has been presented to a bank or Post Office for payment.

If the status shows "Cashed," the money order was successfully presented and the funds were released. The date shown is when that happened. If the status shows "Not Cashed" or does not appear in the system yet, the money order either has not reached the recipient, the recipient has not cashed it, or there is a delay in the system updating.

The tracking system can take up to two business days to show a cashed status after the money order is actually presented. Do not assume something is wrong if you do not see an update when ready.

When a money order does not show up in tracking

If you enter the serial number and the system says it cannot find that money order, first double-check that you entered the number correctly. The serial number is usually 10 digits and printed on both the receipt and the money order itself. Look at your receipt again and try entering it once more.

If the number is correct and the system still does not find it, the money order may not have been registered in the USPS system yet. This can happen if you bought it very recently — wait 24 hours and try again. If you bought it more than 24 hours ago and it still does not appear, contact USPS at 1-800-275-8777 or visit your local Post Office with your receipt. They can look up the money order manually using the serial number.

Do not send another money order to the recipient until you have confirmed with USPS what happened to the first one. If the original money order was never cashed, sending a second one means the recipient could cash both.

Filing a claim if your money order is lost or stolen

USPS money orders are insured up to $1,000. If your money order was lost in the mail, stolen, or never cashed after a reasonable time, you can file a claim to recover the value. You must have your receipt — this is required to prove you bought the money order and to provide the serial number.

Wait at least 60 days after you sent the money order before filing a claim. This gives the recipient time to cash it and gives the system time to update. If the tracking status still shows "Not Cashed" after 60 days, or if you have other evidence the money order was lost or stolen, you can proceed with a claim.

To file a claim, visit your local Post Office with your receipt and a completed Form 6401 (process for Refund of Value of Domestic Money Order). You can also read Form 6401 from usps.com. The Post Office will verify the money order status and process your refund. This typically takes 30 days or more.

What to do if the recipient says they never got it

If the recipient tells you they never received the money order, check the tracking status first. If it shows "Cashed," the money order was presented for payment — either the recipient cashed it themselves or someone else did. Ask the recipient to check their bank account or Post Office records to see if they received the funds.

If the tracking status shows "Not Cashed" and the recipient confirms they never got it, the money order was likely lost in the mail. In this case, wait 60 days from the date you sent it, then file a claim as described above. Once your claim is approved and you receive a refund, you can send a replacement money order or use a different payment method.

If the money order shows as cashed but the recipient says they did not cash it, this suggests fraud — someone else may have cashed it. Report this to USPS when ready by calling 1-800-275-8777 and bringing your receipt to your local Post Office. USPS can investigate and may be able to recover the funds.

How long USPS money orders take to arrive

USPS money orders sent through the mail travel with regular mail, not as a separate tracked package. Delivery time depends on the mail class you chose when you bought it. If you sent it as First-Class Mail, it typically arrives in 1 to 3 business days within the United States. If you sent it as Priority Mail, it arrives in 1 to 2 business days. Standard Mail takes 2 to 8 business days.

The tracking system will not show delivery — it only shows whether the money order has been cashed. If you need proof of delivery, you should have bought the money order with Signature Confirmation or Certified Mail, which provide a delivery record. Without these services, you only have the tracking status to confirm the money order reached its destination.

International USPS money orders have different delivery times and tracking rules. If you sent a money order outside the United States, contact USPS for specific information about that country's processing time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cancel a USPS money order I already sent?

No, you cannot cancel a money order once it has been sent. If you have not yet sent it, you can return an unused money order to the Post Office where you bought it for a refund, minus a small fee. Once it is in the mail, your only option is to wait and see if it is cashed, then file a claim if it is lost.

What if I lost my receipt for the money order?

You will need the receipt to file a claim or to track the money order. If you lost it, contact USPS at 1-800-275-8777 with details about when and where you bought the money order. They may be able to look it up in their system if you can provide the approximate date and location, but having the receipt makes this much faster.

How do I know if someone else cashed my money order?

If the tracking status shows "Cashed" but the recipient says they did not cash it, someone else may have. Money orders can be cashed by anyone who has them — they are not tied to a specific person like a check. Report this to USPS when ready at 1-800-275-8777 and bring your receipt to your local Post Office. They can investigate and may recover the funds.

Does USPS money order tracking work the same way as package tracking?

No. Package tracking shows location updates as your package moves. Money order tracking only shows whether it has been cashed and when. You do not get updates about where it is in the mail system — only the final status once it reaches the recipient and is presented for payment.